Buffalo Neighborhoods
North Buffalo Neighborhood
Hertel Avenue, Parkside, and the Heart of Buffalo Living
North Buffalo
North Buffalo is one of the city’s most recognizable and livable areas—a collection of historic neighborhoods known for strong community identity, classic Buffalo homes, and the vibrant energy of Hertel Avenue.
Stretching from Delaware Park to the northern city line near Kenmore, North Buffalo blends residential calm with neighborhood commercial streets that keep daily life close to home. For many residents, it represents the version of Buffalo that people picture when they imagine living here: tree-lined blocks, early-20th-century houses, and a neighborhood main street where local businesses still anchor the community.
Within North Buffalo are several distinct neighborhoods—including Parkside, North Park, Central Park, Park Meadow, and University Heights—each contributing to the area's character.
Hertel Avenue: North Buffalo’s Main Street
At the center of North Buffalo is Hertel Avenue, one of the city’s most active neighborhood corridors.
Restaurants, bakeries, cafés, and independent shops line the street, giving the area a lively but approachable atmosphere. The historic North Park Theatre remains a landmark, and longtime neighborhood businesses continue to anchor the district.
Hertel Avenue is also widely known as Buffalo’s “Little Italy.” Italian restaurants, bakeries, and cultural organizations reflect decades of Italian-American heritage in the neighborhood. Annual events like the Italian Heritage Festival continue to celebrate that cultural influence.
For residents, Hertel Avenue serves as a neighborhood gathering place—whether it’s grabbing coffee, meeting friends for dinner, or simply walking the avenue on a summer evening.
Parkside and the Olmsted Legacy
Just south of Hertel Avenue sits Parkside, one of Buffalo’s most architecturally notable neighborhoods.
Parkside borders Delaware Park, part of the park system designed by famed landscape architect Frederick Law Olmsted, whose work helped shape some of Buffalo’s most beautiful public spaces. The neighborhood itself features large early-20th-century homes, curved streets, and a quieter residential feel.
The Buffalo Zoo and Hoyt Lake are also located nearby, giving residents quick access to outdoor recreation without leaving the city.
Historic Homes and Residential Streets
Much of North Buffalo’s housing dates back to the early 1900s, when Buffalo was one of America’s fastest-growing cities. The result is a neighborhood filled with classic Buffalo doubles, brick homes, and traditional single-family houses.
Front porches, mature trees, and walkable sidewalks give many streets a welcoming residential atmosphere. Neighborhoods like North Park and Central Park maintain particularly strong historic character, while University Heights adds a slightly more academic energy thanks to its proximity to the University at Buffalo.
These architectural roots are one reason North Buffalo remains one of the most desirable residential areas within the city.
Neighborhoods by Lifestyle
While each Buffalo neighborhood has its own personality, certain areas stand out for particular lifestyles.
Walkable Neighborhoods
Elmwood Village
Allentown
Downtown Buffalo
Family-Oriented Areas
North Buffalo
Parkside
West Hertel
Historic Architecture
Allentown
Hamlin Park
Parkside
Living in North Buffalo
Living in North Buffalo often means settling into a neighborhood rhythm.
Morning coffee on Hertel Avenue. Afternoon walks through Delaware Park. Summer evenings spent at neighborhood restaurants or community festivals.
Families appreciate the proximity to parks and residential streets that feel stable and established. Young professionals are drawn to the character of the homes and the ability to live in a neighborhood that still feels connected to the city’s cultural life.
North Buffalo has also seen renewed interest from homebuyers in recent years. Its walkability, proximity to downtown, and well-preserved housing stock have attracted both longtime residents and newcomers looking for a neighborhood with personality.
In many ways, North Buffalo captures something essential about the city itself: historic roots, strong community identity, and a pace of life that still feels grounded.
Schools and Family Appeal
North Buffalo is frequently considered one of the more family-friendly areas within the city. Its residential character, proximity to parks, and access to local schools make it appealing to households seeking a neighborhood-oriented environment.
Families often appreciate the quieter streets and strong community feel that have long defined this part of Buffalo.
Explore More Buffalo Neighborhoods
Continue discovering the communities that shape the Queen City.
Elmwood Village
Allentown
Hertel Avenue
Downtown Buffalo
Or return to the full guide to Buffalo Neighborhoods.
Abbott McKinley
Broadway-Fillmore
Downtown Buffalo
First Ward
Grider
Kenfield
Fillmore-Leroy
West Hertel
North Park
Cold Springs
West Side
Hamlin Park Historic District
Kensington-Bailey
Lovejoy
MLK Park
Schiller Park
Seneca Babcock
Cazenovia Park
Columbus
Genesee Moselle
Kaisertown
Lakeview
Masten Park
North Delaware
North Buffalo
More residential, quieter, family-oriented, near Delaware Park.
Allentown
Historic homes, colorful architecture, nightlife, and strong arts culture.
Elmwood Village
Walkable. Creative. Café-lined streets.
Popular with young professionals and those who enjoy an urban village atmosphere.
Hertel Avenue Corridor
Entertainment-driven, theaters, local shops, and neighborhood charm.